Scottish Executive

Care of Elderly People

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when the report of the Chief Medical Officer’s Expert Group on Healthcare of Older People will be published.

Susan Deacon: The report of the Expert Group on Healthcare of Older People Adding Life to Years  is currently being finalised and will be published early in the new year.

Deafblind People

Cathie Craigie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14638 by Malcolm Chisholm on 12 April 2001, how it will monitor the implementation of the recommendations made in Sensing Progress .

Malcolm Chisholm: Social Work Services Inspectorate will monitor what progress has been made by local authorities in implementing the recommendations made in Sensing Progress through their annual visits to all local authorities in Scotland and the Chief Inspector of Social Work Services will record this in his annual report.

Domestic Abuse

Mr Gil Paterson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what treatment programmes are currently operated by the Scottish Prison Service for convicted perpetrators of domestic abuse.

Iain Gray: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

  There are a range of programmes/activities available for offenders to enable them to address their offending behaviour. Although not all offence specific, they would be suitable for domestic violence, e.g. Cognitive Skills, Anger Management, Problem Solving and Relationship Skills.

Domestic Abuse

Mr Gil Paterson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it now has any plans to set up specialised domestic abuse courts.

Ms Margaret Curran: The Scottish Executive is committed to implementing the Action Plan in the  National Strategy to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland . This will include a review of legislation and legal processes. A working group has recently been set up to consider this review and will meet for the first time next month.

Domestic Abuse

Mr Gil Paterson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance has been given to health boards regarding the impact on public health of domestic abuse.

Susan Deacon: The  National Strategy to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland , prepared by the Scottish Partnership, is applicable to NHS services in Scotland and includes a detailed plan of action and guidelines for all agencies involved in tackling domestic abuse. This sets out the expectation that health services will participate in local multi-agency groups charged with preparing local strategies and developing practice guidelines and service standards.

  Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change set out the Scottish Executive’s commitment to developing guidelines to help health professionals recognise when women are experiencing domestic abuse and to ensure that they are given sensitive support and advice.

  A short life working group is currently preparing this guidance, which is aimed at all health care workers. The guidance will acknowledge domestic abuse as a major public health issue and recognise its impact on the health of women and their families, particularly children. It will outline the role and responsibilities of NHS Boards and assist health care staff in recognising indicators of domestic abuse and responding appropriately. The guidance will help health boards and health professionals discharge their responsibilities to implement our national strategy on domestic abuse.

Domestic Abuse

Mr Gil Paterson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been carried out into the reasons for cases involving violence against women failing to reach court and what reasons were highlighted by any such research.

Iain Gray: The Scottish Executive has not commissioned research into the reasons for cases involving violence against women failing to reach court. I would, however, refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19180 on 15 November 2001 concerning research into and reasons for rape cases failing to reach court.

Domestic Abuse

Mr Gil Paterson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of violence against women were reported in the last year for which figures are available and how many convictions were obtained, broken down by police area.

Iain Gray: The most relevant information available is given in Table 1 of the statistical bulletin Domestic abuse recorded by the police in Scotland, 1 April - 31 December 1999,  a copy of which is available in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 17267). Incidents of domestic abuse are defined as those involving "any form of physical, non-physical, or sexual abuse which takes place within the context of a close relationship, committed either in the home or elsewhere. This relationship will be between partners (married, co-habiting or otherwise) or ex-partners." The figures therefore exclude other crimes of violence committed against women.

  The bulletin does not present information on those convicted but Tables 1, 14 and 15 give information on the numbers of perpetrators referred to the Procurator Fiscal by police force area.

  The statistics collected centrally on crimes recorded by the police and persons proceeded against at court do not include information about the victims and cannot, therefore, distinguish crimes of violence against women.

Domestic Abuse

Mr Gil Paterson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been carried out into the relationship between alcohol and substance abuse and violence against women.

Susan Deacon: The Scottish Executive is not aware of any research specifically into the relationship between alcohol and substance abuse and violence against women. However, there are a small number of on-going and recently completed research projects in the UK into the relationship between alcohol and violence, details of which are available from the National Research Register, a copy of which is in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 17404).

Drug Misuse

Hugh Henry (Paisley South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish its annual report on drug misuse in Scotland.

Iain Gray: Our first Annual Report is being published today. This document reports on progress with the implementation of the Scottish Executive’s Drugs Strategy and Action Plan. The report sets out progress across all strands of our Drugs Strategy, from April 2000, and it outlines further action for the future. I am pleased to say that we are making solid and steady progress in tackling this blight on Scottish communities, although it will take some time for our record levels of investment to translate into new and expanded services for drug misusers.

  Copies of the report have been made available to the Parliament’s Reference Centre, and it has also been published on the Scottish Executive’s website.

Flooding

Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what financial help is to be made available to the City of Edinburgh Council for any expenditure incurred following the flooding in April and November 2000.

Angus MacKay: I am pleased to announce that City of Edinburgh Council is eligible for a payment of £150,792 under the Bellwin Scheme. The scheme was activated on 29 August 2001 following representation from the council on costs directly associated with the immediate aftermath of the severe flooding in April and November 2000.

  City of Edinburgh Council’s costs were primarily revenue costs for removing fallen trees and debris, land drainage works and the evacuation of a nursing care home.

Justice

Mr Gil Paterson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to allow children access to counselling services before giving evidence at a criminal trial.

Colin Boyd QC: The Scottish Executive has set up a group to implement the recommendations of the Lord Advocate's Working Group on Child Witness Support. One of the recommendations seeks to clarify the roles of those making decisions relating to therapy before court proceedings. A draft code of practice on the provision of therapy to child witnesses prior to criminal trials and children's hearings court proceedings is at present the subject of consultation within the Executive. Thereafter the code will be passed to outside agencies and bodies for wider consultation.

Medical Research

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether research has been carried out into the use of methylphenidate in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Susan Deacon: The Chief Scientist Office (CSO) within the Scottish Executive Health Department has responsibility for encouraging and supporting research into health services and patient care within the NHS in Scotland.

  CSO is aware of two on-going and 10 recently completed research projects in the UK into the use of methylphenidate in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Details of these projects are available from the National Research Register, a copy of which is in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 17404).

Ministerial Correspondence

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Health and Community Care will reply to the letter that my constituent, Councillor Elizabeth McLardy, wrote to her on 26 July 2001 regarding attempts by another of my constituents to obtain an electric wheelchair.

Susan Deacon: The letter does not appear to have been received but if the member wishes to send another copy it will be given prompt attention.

Multiple Sclerosis

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many multiple sclerosis sufferers there currently are in the Banff and Buchan parliamentary constituency.

Malcolm Chisholm: I refer the member to the answers given to questions S1W-12859 and S1W-15296 on 9 February 2001 and 4 May 2001 respectively, which made it clear that information on multiple sclerosis in individual areas is not held centrally.

Rail Network

Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-4059 by Sarah Boyack on 8 November 2001, whether it has ever been consulted by, or instigated consultation with, the Strategic Rail Authority on the allocation of the UK rail modernisation fund to railway investment projects in Scotland and, if so, whether it will detail in each case when the consultation took place, the project concerned and who instigated the consultation.

Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the Strategic Rail Authority on a wide range of issues.

Rail Network

Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any discussions it has had on vertical integration of the rail network since Railtrack plc went into administration, specifying with whom and on what date.

Sarah Boyack: Since Railtrack plc went into administration I have had a number of meetings with relevant bodies and individuals at which the subject of vertical integration of the rail network was amongst those discussed.

Roads

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-18697 and S1W-18699 by Sarah Boyack on 26 October 2001, why, if a letter was issued to each objector to the proposed A1 expressway between Haddington and Dunbar, no local public inquiry was established as recommended in  Travel Choices for Scotland: Strategic Roads Review .

Sarah Boyack: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18698 on 26 October 2001.

Roads

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19385 by Sarah Boyack on 8 November 2001, how much it would cost to modify the proposed A1 expressway between Haddington and Dunbar to incorporate slip roads to and from East Linton prior to it being completed.

Sarah Boyack: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18697 on 26 October 2001. If slip roads could be included within the proposed contract as the result of a successful promotion of a further Variation Scheme, then the costs of including the work in the new contract could fall in the range of £2 to £6 million, depending on the impact of the change of contract specification on the contractors operations.

Roads

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18695 by Sarah Boyack on 26 October 2001, whether the delay to the start of the construction of the proposed A1 expressway between Haddington and Dunbar would be any longer than it currently is expected to be if a local public inquiry was held.

Sarah Boyack: Yes, a public local inquiry would result in a 12 to 18 month delay to the present rate of progress.

Roads

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what provision is being made for access by emergency vehicles stationed in East Linton to the A1 expressway and what the cost of such provision will be.

Sarah Boyack: Emergency vehicles will be able to access the new A1 eastwards to Dunbar and westwards to Haddington at Traprain Road. The estimated cost of this provision is £34,000 at today’s prices.

Roads

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken regarding petition: PE270 by Andrew Baker on behalf of the A1 East Lothian Steering Group.

Sarah Boyack: The Public Petitions Committee of the Scottish Parliament agreed to pass the petition to me and I took it into account during my consideration of all the objections and representations on the draft variation orders for the A1 Expressway.

Roads

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what timescale has been set for improving and upgrading the A8000.

Sarah Boyack: The A8000 is a local road and therefore the responsibility of City of Edinburgh Council. I understand that the council will be holding public exhibitions of its plans beginning on 4 December at Kirkliston, and moving on to South Queensferry and Edinburgh before Christmas. Progress thereafter will depend on public reaction to the plans and the necessary Compulsory Purchase and Roads Orders.

Roads

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the latest estimates are of the increase in traffic flows on the A8000 that will result from the opening of a ferry route from Rosyth to the continent in each year from its opening until 2010.

Sarah Boyack: Expected traffic flows on this local road will be a factor considered by City of Edinburgh Council as part of its plans for improvement of the road. However, information provided to the Executive in confidence as part of the application for freight facilities grant suggests that ferry traffic will have a minimal impact on this road.

Roads

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to improve and upgrade the A90 between the Forth Road Bridge and Barnton.

Sarah Boyack: The A90 between the Forth Road Bridge and Barnton is classified as a local road. Plans to improve or upgrade that section of road are therefore matters for the City of Edinburgh Council.